Former Shaw vice commander charged with child pornography

Shaw Air Force Base’s former vice commander, who was relieved of duty earlier this year, faces criminal charges, including for child pornography.

Base officials report Col. William Jones was charged with possession of child pornography and obstruction of justice June 29, according to a news release. Jones serves as the Ninth Air Force deputy chief of safety.

He took over as the 20th Fighter Wing vice commander at the base in April 2014 but was relieved of duty in February for loss of confidence, according to The Sumter Item.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 8 to “conduct an inquiry into the matter,” the release stated.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 7:07 AM with the headline "Former Shaw vice commander charged with child pornography."